Albert Garcia

Professor Mercado
English 113B
1 May 2016

Low income and gang violence

Gang violence is a issue that low income areas seem to deal with on a regular
occasion. What makes these gangs come about? They come about from the new
generations. The youth feel intrigued to join these gangs because of all the opportunities
they see within them such as getting the items they desire. Although many feel that
fighting gang violence is useless I feel as though the government needs to provide more
funding, the parents need to raise their kids right, and the media has to stop admiring
gangs.
The first gang appeared in the United States 1783 just after the American
Revolution ended. Sante from the office of juvenile justice states "they were not
criminals"(1) therefore they were just young ones fighting for territory. In New York City,
Ellis Island was considered a big port of entry into the U.S. In result three different
immigrant groups reached New York and settled for the East Side where it was cheaper to
reside. The English, Irish, and Germans formed gangs.
The first gangs that were formed were not out to commit crimes. According to Sante
"many of the members were employed"(2) therefore showing that the members were
making money independently to satisfy their needs. Although they didn't use any violence

to steal they used it to protect or obtain territory.

In the 1930s the Mexicans of East Los Angeles formed groups. The first groups
were formed to protect each other and not cause harm to others without reason. The
1940s came and now new gangs were formed. For example, the zoot suiters which were
Mexican American teenagers that dressed up in baggy suits with balloon style pants. The
zoot suiters were one big group who always stood together and were very territorial. For
example, a couple of servicemen wondered onto zoot suit territory; in result they got beat
up. This shows the start of violence within gangs. Others started to get influenced by
them and formed their own. In Result every town had their gangs and their territories. In
the late 1940s a gang called "white fence" was formed to protect children from being beat
up by teenagers from other neighborhoods. But then came the 1950s where white fence
started to carry out drive bys. They're also responsible for carrying out a gang war within
the communities around them. The white fence members influenced other gangs and now
all gangs use weapons for defense and to attack.
Currently Gang violence is a huge problem in Los Angeles. Many don't realize it
but it affects the residents in the are where the violence is taking place. Gang violence
keeps the residents locked inside their houses; this violates a persons freedom. Gang
violence will also put residents in harms way even in their own houses because of stray
bullets. In a gang active neighborhood drive bys, this is the action where a gang member
takes fire at a target from the inside of a moving vehicle. While in a moving vehicle it is
hard to aim resulting in stray bullets.
Gang violence is also ruining the youth. For example, there's children committing
robberies and even murders. The children are being encouraged by the older gang

members who they see as father figures. Since the children don't have anyone else to look
up to they do what they're ask.
Plenty of things have been done to prevent gang violence. One if them is the
establishment of the Los Angeles Police Department Gang Unit. According to the LAPD
"our mission is to disrupt violent gangs". The police have also carried out gang raids. A
gang raid is where police officers from different agency's gather up and strategize a plan
on arresting alleged gang members In one night.
Gang raids are known to be effective. But for how long? Valencia from Boston
Globe claims that "they can be useful for a quick fix" but there will always be a new
generation. A new generation that is astonished by gangs and there's really nothing
anyone can do to prevent them from joining one. In result the gang raids aren't effective
long term and that's what we seeks.
I feel like the issue is very delicate. I think gang violence is not only affecting the
ones committed but also the ones living around it. The reason for that is because the ones
committing it are not only ruining their lives and records but they're also ruining their
chance to better opportunities. For example if a gang member gets convicted of a
shooting he will now no longer be able to find a decent job because of his record. Now it
affects others simply because of fear. Others will be scared to run errands and daily
activities. It also affects others because of all the possible companies that could move into
the neighborhoods. The fact that their is gang violence scares them away leaving the
residents in poverty and no job opportunities. I also feel that gang violence should be
within the gangs and not innocent people. For example in November of 2010 the
notorious blood gang was having a initiation weekend where they would drive around

with their headlights off. The first car that flashed the lights at them warning them that
their headlights were chased down and killed as part of the initiation. I think gang
violence should be stopped at all costs.
Although there has been operations carried out to stop gang violence, they weren't
enough. The government needs to establish mandatory classes in every school for
students that have gang history or gang affiliated parents educating them on why gangs
are not okay. We have to start with the new generations because if we don't they will
continuer to carry the gangs name out. The government needs to establish more laws, for
instance a law that requires every kid in a low income neighborhood to attend school and
get good grades. If a good grade isn't attainable then the child will be sent to a private
school. This will make the student focus on school and nothing else. The student wouldn't
have time to think about gangs. The government also needs to fund the police department
with more money in order for us to have more police officers on patrol.
The next step would be the parents. It is said that many children join gangs
because they feel neglected and unaccepted. The reason for this is because gangs
welcome every member as family. The gangs make members feel like they're a part of
something. A child seeks for brotherhood and father figures because they're not getting it
elsewhere. Another way for their children to not be influenced by the gang lifestyle
would be for the parents to raise them correctly. Now it is almost certain that a child from
a gang affiliated family will grow up to be a gangster. If the parents changed their ways
and raised the child with good intentions the results would be different. Therefore we
must attack the issue with the role models and that's the parents. As stated by district
attorney gang bureau chief Deanna Rodriguez "we're seeing more children who are being

exposed to the gang world because their parents are members". This quote is directly
stating that the children are born gangsters. All in all I feel like the parents should be
targeted. No one is born evil, in order to be evil you must be taught evil things.
The media is the next target because of their influence on our children. As stated
by Mike Carlie "some children learn to acquire goods and services" he's arguing that the
media shows the youth what it's like to be gangster. It is said that a non violent child who
watches violence will end up being violent. A child who isn't supervised by an adult and
educated that violence is wrong will begin to think that it's normal. The media also goes
out of its way to get everything about being a gangster on point. For example, the media
makes sure that they have every characteristic down. The gangster wear specific clothes,
they move in certain ways, and they use different words. The youth gets encouraged by
their ways and starts adopting them. It takes one child to encourage many. For example, it
takes one child to adopt the characteristics leading to others adopting it. In result many
children now carry gangster characteristics with them.
Plenty of people state that fighting against gang violence is hopeless. As a person
with high hopes and dedication I argue that gangs can be fought against and the fight can
be won. The reason why gangs are ruling neighborhoods is because the residents arent
fighting. Other people will argue that a child born in a low income neighborhood is
bound to be a gang member. I argue that a child that is neglected will join a gang. A child
that is shown right from wrong will grow up just like any other child. The stubborn
people will say that a child with a gangster as a parent will have their fate already. I argue
that no one can be told what to like or what to do.

In conclusion we could put a end to gang violence and it all starts with the next
generation. As stated we must be strict with the new generations. We must enforce new
things that will keep the youths minds occupied. We must start with trying to put a dent in
the gangs. Operations should still be carried out. Then we must concentrate on the
parents. The parents need to enforce strict rules so that their kids know what's right from
wrong. Then we must focus on the media. We need the media to stop focusing so much
on gangs. The need to stop glorifying gangs. All in all we could put a stop to gang
violence, although it might take some time it could still happen.

Works Cited
Dominick, Joe. Why L.A.s Crime Rise Is No Surprise. Los Angeles Times. Los
Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 15. Web. 10 Apr. 2016.
Evidence Integration: Gangs. Crimesolutions.gov. National Institute of Justice, 21
August. 2013. Web. 10 April. 2016.
Howell, James C. Gang Prevention: An Overview of Research and Programs. Chicago:
Diane Publishing, 2010. Print.
Why Young People Join Gangs. Lapdonline.org Los Angeles Police Department, 12
June. 2012. Web. 10 April. 2016.
White, Rob, and Ron Mason. Youth Gangs and Youth Violence. The Australian and
New Zealand Journal of Criminology (2006): 54-70. Utas.edu. University of
Tasanamia, Australia, 2 May 2006. Web. 10 Apr. 2016